Spigot tube coupler with bonding agent groove

ABSTRACT

Spigot tube couplers for fluid flow sets and devices are provided. The spigot tube coupler includes a stop surface and a spigot extending from the stop surface and configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a fluid port, an outer surface, a collar and a plurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface. The plurality of grooves are configured to receive a bonding agent to provide a plurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube. Methods for assembling a spigot tube coupler and a tube are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/482,757 entitled “SPIGOT TUBE COUPLER WITH BONDING AGENT GROOVE,”filed on Sep. 23, 2021, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,614,189 on Mar.8, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/112,042 entitled “SPIGOT TUBE COUPLER WITH BONDING AGENT GROOVE,”filed on Nov. 10, 2020, the disclosure of each which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Spigot tube couplers are used in the medical field in devices forcontrolling fluid flow to a patient, such as for fluid flow from anintravenous (IV) gravity or pump set. Typical spigot tube couplers donot provide enough tubing retention force when glue is applied to theoutside of the spigot and assembled into a tube due to lack of a gluelayer that bonds the tubing to the spigot surface. As the spigot ispushed into the tube, the glue on the outside surface of the spigottends to be wiped off of the spigot and ooze out of the spigot/tubeconnection due to the friction fit between the spigot and the tube. Itis desirable to provide a spigot tube coupler that provides bondinglayers between the tube and the spigot surface, thus increasing the tuberetention strength of the spigot/tube connection.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides medical spigot tube couplers having oneor more grooves disposed on the spigot outside surface, increasing thesurface area of the spigot and yielding more bonding agent surface areathan the typical spigot design.

In one or more embodiments, a spigot tube coupler is provided. Thespigot tube coupler includes a housing having a first fluid portdisposed at a first end of the housing and a stop surface disposed at asecond end of the housing. The spigot tube coupler includes a spigotextending from the stop surface and configured to be inserted into atube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a second fluid port disposedat the insertion end, an outer surface, a collar disposed at theinsertion end of the spigot, the collar having an outer diameter greaterthan the outer surface of the spigot and the outer surface having acontinuous diameter between the stop surface and the collar, and one ormore grooves disposed around the outer surface. The one or more groovesare configured to receive a bonding agent to provide one or more bondinglayers between the spigot and the tube.

In one or more embodiments, a spigot tube coupler is provided. Thespigot tube coupler includes a stop surface having a base member and aspigot extending from the base member and configured to be inserted intoa tube. The spigot includes an insertion end, a fluid port disposed inthe center of the spigot, an outer surface, a collar disposed at theinsertion end of the spigot, the collar having an outer diameter greaterthan the outer surface of the spigot and the outer surface having acontinuous diameter between the base member and the collar, and aplurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface. The plurality ofgrooves are configured to receive a bonding agent to provide a pluralityof bonding areas between the spigot and the tube.

In one or more embodiments, a method of assembling a spigot tube couplerand a tube is provided. The method includes applying a bonding agent toan outer surface of a spigot of a spigot tube coupler, the spigotcomprising a plurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface, theouter surface having a continuous diameter between a stop surface of thespigot tube coupler and a collar disposed at an insertion end of thespigot. The method also includes aligning an insertion end of the spigotwith an end of the tube. The method further includes slidably insertingthe spigot into the tube until the end of the tube contacts a stopsurface of the spigot tube coupler. The method also includes forming aplurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube, each bondingarea defined by an outer surface of the bonding agent within one of thegrooves.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description below and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. Theobjectives and other advantages of the disclosure will be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of a typical assembled infusion set.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of a typical infusion set component andtubing prior to assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler and tubeconnection, according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the spigot tube coupler of FIG. 4 , accordingto some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the spigot tube coupler of FIG. 4 , accordingto some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of spigot tube coupler of FIG. 7 ,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 front view of the spigot tube coupler of FIG. 7 , according tosome aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example spigot tube coupler,according to some aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below describes variousconfigurations of the subject technology and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the subject technology may bepracticed. The detailed description includes specific details for thepurpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology.Accordingly, dimensions are provided in regard to certain aspects asnon-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the subject technology may be practiced without thesespecific details. In some instances, well-known structures andcomponents are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuringthe concepts of the subject technology.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes examples ofthe subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appendedclaims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosedaccording to particular but non-limiting examples. Various embodimentsdescribed in the present disclosure may be carried out in different waysand variations, and in accordance with a desired application orimplementation.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a typical infusion set 30 has several differentcomponents, including a drip chamber 40, a check valve 50, a rollerclamp 60 and Y-junctions 70, all connected together by tubing 20. Atypical infusion set 30 can include additional infusion components(e.g., pinch clamps, filters) and can be formed of any combination ofcomponents and the tubing 20.

Many of the infusion set components 40, 50, 70 have male connectionmembers or spigots that mate with an end section of tubing 20 to form aconnection between the infusion set components 40, 50, 70 and the tubing20. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , a typical Y-junction 70 has inletports 72, 74 and an outlet port 76, where each inlet port 72, 74 is tobe connected to an inlet tube 22, 24 and the outlet port 76 is to beconnected to an outlet tube 26. Here, the inlet port 74 is a spigotwhere the inlet tube 24 is to be slid onto and over the inlet port 74with a tight fit (e.g., friction fit). Typically, because the frictionfit alone is not sufficient to ensure the inlet tube 24 stays connectedto the inlet port 74, glue or solvent is applied to the outside of theinlet port 74 and then pushed into an end of the inlet tube 24. However,as the inlet tube 24 slides down the smooth surface of the inlet port74, the tight fit of the inlet tube 24 causes the glue to be pusheddown, where it oozes out at the base of the inlet port 74. Because mostor all of the glue is essentially scraped off of the smooth surface ofthe inlet port 74, there may be many areas of the outside surface of theinlet port 74 that have a very thin layer of glue or no glue at all,thus providing little or no additional bond support to the friction fit.

According to aspects of the disclosure, a spigot tube coupler isprovided with one or more grooves disposed on the outside surface of thespigot. The grooves provide pockets or recesses where a bonding agent(e.g., glue, solvent) may reside, which prevents all of the bondingagent applied to the spigot from being scraped off as the tube slidesonto and down the length of the spigot.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate a spigot tube coupler 100, according to someaspects of the disclosure. The spigot tube coupler 100 includes ahousing 110, a spigot 130 extending from the housing 110 and sleevemembers 140 extending from the housing 110. The housing 110 has a firstfluid port 112 configured to provide fluid flow into and out of thehousing 110. For example, the first fluid port 112 may be a femaleconnector that receives an end surface of a tube 20 (e.g., tube 22). Thespigot 130 has a second fluid port 132 configured to provide fluid flowinto and out of the spigot 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , thespigot 130 is a male projection that is inserted into a tube 20 (e.g.,tube 24) such that fluid can flow into the second fluid port 132 fromthe tube 20 or flow out of the second fluid port 132 into the tube 20.As seen in FIG. 3 , an engagement portion 25 of the tube 20 is theportion of the tube that is mated with the spigot 130, where theengagement portion 25 bulges out due to the friction fit between aninner surface 23 of the tube 20 and the spigot 130. In some aspects ofthe disclosure, the spigot 130 may be sized the same as the innersurface 23 of the tube 20 for a contact fit, wherein the engagementportion 25 would not bulge out. The spigot 130 may also include aconical portion 131 disposed at the leading edge of the spigot 130. Theconical portion 131 may provide a ramped surface to allow the spigot 130to slide more easily into an end portion 21 of the tube 20.

The spigot 130 includes one or more grooves 134 disposed around an outersurface 136 of the spigot 130 (e.g., disposed within the outer surface136). The grooves 134 may be evenly disposed and/or randomly disposedaround the outer surface 136 of the spigot 130. The grooves 134 may beany suitable configuration, such as axial, transverse, helical, or anycombination thereof). The grooves 134 are sized and shaped to retain abonding agent (e.g., glue, solvent), thus providing bonding layers 138in the outer surface 136 between the tube 20 and the spigot 130. Thebonding layers 138 increase the retention strength of the tube 20connection to the spigot 130 over the friction fit alone. The additionaltubing retention strength may be fine-tuned by adjusting parameters ofthe grooves 134, such as the length of each groove 134, the number ofgrooves 134 and the geometry of the grooves 134. For example, some orall of the grooves 134 may have a length that essentially matches thelength of the spigot 130, or some or all of the grooves 134 may have alength extending along a portion of length of the spigot 130 (e.g., ½the length of the spigot 130). As another example, the spigot tubecoupler 100 of FIGS. 4-6 has 16 grooves 134, the spigot tube coupler 300shown in FIG. 10 has 24 grooves 334 and the spigot tube coupler 400shown in FIG. 11 has 32 grooves 434. As further examples, spigot tubecoupler 500 shown in FIG. 12 has transverse grooves 534 and spigot tubecoupler 600 shown in FIG. 13 has helical grooves 634. As yet anotherexample, while the geometry of the grooves 134 shown in FIG. 6 istriangular, the grooves 134 may have any desirable geometry (e.g.,rectangular, semicircular, trapezoidal) or any combination of differentgeometries (e.g., some triangular and some trapezoidal). In aspects ofthe disclosure, the grooves 134 may extend into the conical portion 131.In aspects of the disclosure, the grooves 134 may stop before or at thestart of the conical portion 131, thus providing the conical portion 131with a smooth outer surface.

The sleeve members 140 may be configured to partially enclose an endportion 21 of the tube 20. The sleeve members 140 may be configured as asingle circular sleeve that encloses the entire end portion 21 of thetube 20. The sleeve members 140 may be configured to not contact anouter surface 27 of the tube 20 as shown in FIG. 3 , or the sleevemembers 140 may be configured to engage with the outer surface 27 of thetube 20. For example, glue may be applied to an inner surface 142 of thesleeve member 140 to provide another bond layer between the innersurface 142 of the sleeve member 140 and the outer surface 27 of thetube 20, and/or the sleeve member 140 may be configured to provide atight friction fit between the inner surface 142 of the sleeve member140 and the outer surface 27 of the tube 20. In some aspects of thedisclosure, grooves may be added to the inner surface 142 of the sleevemember 140 to provide similar bonding features as the grooves 134, thusadding bonding layers between the outer surface 27 of the tube 20 andthe sleeve members 140 to provide additional bonding strength. Forexample, spigot tube coupler 700 shown in FIG. 14 has grooves 744 on thesleeve members 740. In some aspects of the disclosure, the grooves 744may be axial, transverse and/or helical. In some aspects of thedisclosure, the spigot tube coupler 100 may have no sleeve member 140 atall.

In assembly, a bonding agent (e.g., glue) is applied to the outersurface 136 of the spigot 130 and the end portion 21 of the tube 20 isslid onto and along the length of the spigot 130 until it contacts astop surface 114 of the housing 110. The bonding agent that hascollected in the grooves 134 then sets to create bonding layers 138 inthe outer surface 136 that bond to corresponding portions of the innersurface 23 of the tube 20, providing additional resistance to movementof the tube 20 on the spigot 130 beyond that of the friction fit betweenthe tube 20 and the spigot 130.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a spigot tube coupler 200, according to someaspects of the disclosure. The spigot tube coupler 200 includes ahousing 210, a base member 240 extending from the housing 210 and aspigot 230 extending from the base member 240. The housing 210 has afirst fluid port 212 configured to provide fluid flow into and out ofthe housing 210. For example, the first fluid port 212 may be a femaleconnector that receives an end surface of a tube 20 (e.g., tube 22). Thespigot 230 has a second fluid port 232 configured to provide fluid flowinto and out of the spigot 230. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7-9 , thespigot 230 is a male projection that is configured to be inserted into atube 20 (e.g., tube 24) such that fluid can flow into the second fluidport 232 from the tube or flow out of the second fluid port 232 into thetube.

The spigot 230 includes one or more grooves 234 (e.g., channels)disposed around an outer surface 236 of the spigot 230. The grooves 234are sized and shaped to retain a bonding agent (e.g., glue, solvent),thus providing bonding layers 238 in the outer surface 236 between thetube (e.g., tube 20) and the spigot 230. The bonding layers 238 increasethe retention strength of the tube connection to the spigot 230 over afriction fit alone. The additional tubing retention strength may befine-tuned by adjusting parameters of the grooves 234, such as thelength of each groove 234, the number of grooves 234 and the geometry ofthe grooves 234. For example, some or all of the grooves 234 may have alength that essentially matches the length of the spigot 230, or some orall of the grooves 234 may have a length extending along a portion oflength of the spigot 230 (e.g., ½ the length of the spigot 230). Asanother example, while the spigot tube coupler 200 of FIGS. 7-9 has 6grooves 234, the spigot tube coupler 200 may have any number of grooves.As yet another example, while the geometry of the grooves 234 shown inFIG. 9 is essentially trapezoidal, the grooves 234 may have anydesirable geometry (e.g., rectangular, semicircular, triangular).

The spigot 230 also includes a collar 250 disposed adjacent the secondfluid port 232. The collar 250 may be sized and shaped to extendradially outward past the outer surface 236 of the spigot 230, thusproviding a retention wall 252. The retention wall 252 provides aretention surface to help hold the bonding agent in the grooves 234during application of the bonding agent and during assembly of thespigot tube coupler 200. The collar 250 may be configured to provide agreater friction fit with the tube 20 than the friction fit between theouter surface 236 of the spigot 230 and the tube 20. Further, the collar250 may function as a barb of sorts, thereby providing additionalresistance to movement of the tube 20 once the tube 20 is mated to thespigot 230. The spigot 230 may also include a conical portion 231disposed at the leading edge of the spigot 230. The conical portion 231provides a ramped surface to allow the spigot 230 to slide more easilyinto an end portion 21 of the tube 20. The size of the collar 250 (e.g.,the outer diameter) may be configured to provide a desired level of glueretention and barbed resistance. While not shown in FIGS. 7-9 , thespigot tube coupler 200 may also include a sleeve member as describedabove in relation to spigot tube coupler 100. In aspects of thedisclosure, the grooves 234 stop at the retention wall 252 of the collar250 and before the start of the conical portion 231, thus providing theconical portion 231 with a smooth outer surface. In aspects of thedisclosure, the grooves 234 may extend into the conical portion 231. Forexample, the collar 250 may be disposed around the outer surface 236 ofthe spigot 230 and the grooves 234 may extend under the collar 250 andinto the conical portion 231.

Any or all of the elements of the above described spigot tube couplers100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 may be utilized on any device (e.g., apump tube connector, tube connectors of infusion set components 40, 50,70). For example, the inlet port 74 of Y-junction 70 shown in FIG. 2 maybe provided as spigot 130, spigot 230 or the spigots of any of spigottube couplers 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, thereby providing thecorresponding increased retention features as described. Similarly, anymale projection of an infusion device, such as an infusion pump or aninfusion set component, which is intended to mate with a tube end (e.g.,end portion 21) may be configured or provided as spigot 130, spigot 230or the spigots of any of spigot tube couplers 300, 400, 500, 600, 700.

In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a spigot tube couplercomprises a housing comprising a first fluid port disposed at a firstend of the housing and a stop surface disposed at a second end of thehousing. The spigot tube coupler also comprises a spigot extending fromthe stop surface and configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigotcomprises an insertion end, a second fluid port disposed at theinsertion end, an outer surface and one or more grooves disposed aroundthe outer surface, wherein the one or more grooves are configured toreceive a bonding agent to provide one or more bonding layers betweenthe spigot and the tube.

In aspects of the disclosure, a sleeve member extends from the stopsurface of the housing and at least partially encircles a portion of thespigot, the sleeve member configured to be disposed at least partiallyaround an end portion of the tube. In aspects of the disclosure, theouter surface of the spigot comprises an outer diameter that is one ofequal to and larger than an inner diameter of the tube to provide afriction fit between the spigot and the tube. In aspects of thedisclosure, the one or more grooves comprises a plurality of groovesspaced evenly around the outer surface of the spigot. In aspects of thedisclosure, the plurality of grooves comprises one of 16, 24 and 32grooves. In aspects of the disclosure, the one or more grooves aretriangular shaped. In aspects of the disclosure, the one or more groovesare semi-circular shaped. In aspects of the disclosure, the one or moregrooves are one of trapezoidal shaped and rectangular shaped. In aspectsof the disclosure, the one or more grooves are one of axial grooves,transverse grooves and helical grooves.

In aspects of the disclosure, the spigot comprises a conical portiondisposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to providea ramped surface to be initially inserted into the tube. In aspects ofthe disclosure, the one or more grooves extend into the conical portion.In aspects of the disclosure, the stop surface of the housing comprisesa base member extending from the housing. In aspects of the disclosure,a collar is disposed at the insertion end of the spigot, the collarhaving an outer diameter greater than the outer surface of the spigot.In aspects of the disclosure, the collar comprises a retention walldefining an end to each of the one or more grooves, the retention wallconfigured to contain the bonding agent within the one or more grooves.In aspects of the disclosure, the spigot comprises a conical portiondisposed past the collar at the insertion end, the conical portionconfigured to provide a ramped surface to be initially inserted into thetube.

In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a spigot tube couplercomprises a stop surface and a spigot extending from the stop surfaceand configured to be inserted into a tube. The spigot comprises aninsertion end, a fluid port disposed in the center of the spigot, anouter surface and a plurality of grooves disposed around the outersurface, wherein the plurality of grooves are configured to receive abonding agent to provide a plurality of bonding areas between the spigotand the tube.

In aspects of the disclosure, the spigot comprises a conical portiondisposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured to providea ramped surface to be initially inserted into the tube. In aspects ofthe disclosure, a collar is disposed adjacent to the conical portion,the collar having an outer diameter greater than the outer surface ofthe spigot, wherein the collar comprises a retention wall defining anend to each of the plurality of grooves, the retention wall configuredto contain the bonding agent within the plurality of grooves.

In one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a method of assembling aspigot tube coupler and a tube comprises applying a bonding agent to anouter surface of a spigot of a spigot tube coupler, the spigotcomprising a plurality of grooves disposed around the outer surface;aligning an insertion end of the spigot with an end of the tube;slidably inserting the spigot into the tube until the end of the tubecontacts a stop surface of the spigot tube coupler; and forming aplurality of bonding areas between the spigot and the tube, each bondingarea defined by an outer surface of the bonding agent within one of thegrooves.

In aspects of the disclosure, the method comprises applying the bondingagent to the outer surface of the spigot between a collar disposed onthe insertion end of the spigot and the stop surface of the spigot tubecoupler, the collar comprising an outer diameter greater than the outersurface of the spigot and a retention wall defining an end to each ofthe plurality of grooves; and generating a friction fit between thecollar and an inner surface of the tube.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in themethods of processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches.Based upon design or implementation preferences, it is understood thatthe specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may berearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. In someimplementations, any of the blocks may be performed simultaneously.

The present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. The disclosureprovides various examples of the subject technology, and the subjecttechnology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications tothese aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, andthe generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “oneand only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.”Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one ormore. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine andneuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings andsubheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit theinvention.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example orillustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurationsand operations described herein may be considered to be at leastequivalent.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series ofitems, with the term “or” to separate any of the items, modifies thelist as a whole, rather than each item of the list. The phrase “at leastone of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, thephrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of theitems, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or atleast one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase “at leastone of A, B, or C” may refer to: only A, only B, or only C; or anycombination of A, B, and C.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect isessential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to anaspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations.An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspectmay refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an“embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to thesubject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurationsof the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment mayapply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment mayprovide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer toone or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a“configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential tothe subject technology or that such configuration applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to aconfiguration may apply to all configurations, or one or moreconfigurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. Aphrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations andvice versa.

In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values,ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that areset forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow,are approximate, not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have areasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which theyrelate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps,operations or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplaryapproaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that thespecific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes may berearranged. Some of the steps, operations or processes may be performedsimultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes maybe performed automatically, without the intervention of a user. Theaccompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the varioussteps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant tobe limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construedunder the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element isexpressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of amethod claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the likeis used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as atransitional word in a claim.

The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings andAbstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosureand are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not asrestrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding thatthey will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that thedescription provides illustrative examples and the various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The followingclaims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects describedherein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with thelanguage claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding,none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails tosatisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103, nor should theybe interpreted in such a way.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A spigot tube coupler, comprising: ahousing comprising: a first fluid port disposed at a first end of thehousing; and a stop surface disposed at a second end of the housing; anda spigot extending from the stop surface and configured to be insertedinto a tube, the spigot comprising: an insertion end; a second fluidport disposed at the insertion end; an outer surface; a collar disposedat the insertion end of the spigot, the collar having an outer diametergreater than the outer surface of the spigot and the outer surfacehaving a continuous diameter between the stop surface and the collar;and one or more grooves disposed around the outer surface, wherein theone or more grooves are configured to receive a bonding agent to provideone or more bonding layers between the spigot and the tube, wherein thecollar comprises a retention wall defining an end to each of the one ormore grooves that extend to the collar, the retention wall configured tocontain the bonding agent within the one or more grooves.
 2. The spigottube coupler of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve member extendingfrom the stop surface of the housing and at least partially encircling aportion of the spigot, the sleeve member configured to be disposed atleast partially around an end portion of the tube.
 3. The spigot tubecoupler of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the spigot comprises anouter diameter that is one of equal to and larger than an inner diameterof the tube to provide a friction fit between the spigot and the tube.4. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one or more groovescomprises a plurality of grooves spaced evenly around the outer surfaceof the spigot.
 5. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one ormore grooves are disposed axially along the outer surface.
 6. The spigottube coupler of claim 5, wherein the one or more grooves are trapezoidalshaped.
 7. The spigot tube coupler of claim 5, wherein the one or moregrooves are rectangular shaped.
 8. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1,wherein the one or more grooves are disposed transversely along theouter surface.
 9. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the one ormore grooves are disposed helically along the outer surface.
 10. Thespigot tube coupler of claim 1, wherein the spigot comprises a conicalportion disposed at the insertion end, the conical portion configured toprovide a ramped surface to be initially inserted into the tube.
 11. Thespigot tube coupler of claim 10, wherein the one or more grooves extendinto the conical portion.
 12. The spigot tube coupler of claim 1,wherein the stop surface of the housing comprises a base memberextending from the housing.
 13. The spigot tube coupler of claim 12,wherein the outer surface of the spigot has a continuous diameterbetween the base member and the collar.
 14. A spigot tube coupler,comprising: a stop surface having a base member; and a spigot extendingfrom the base member and configured to be inserted into a tube, thespigot comprising: an insertion end; a fluid port disposed in the centerof the spigot; an outer surface; a collar disposed at the insertion endof the spigot, the collar having an outer diameter greater than theouter surface of the spigot and the outer surface having a continuousdiameter between the base member and the collar; and a plurality ofgrooves disposed around the outer surface, wherein the plurality ofgrooves are configured to receive a bonding agent to provide a pluralityof bonding areas between the spigot and the tube, wherein the collarcomprises a retention wall defining an end to each of the plurality ofgrooves, the retention wall configured to contain the bonding agentwithin the plurality of grooves.
 15. The spigot tube coupler of claim14, wherein the spigot comprises a conical portion disposed at theinsertion end, the conical portion configured to provide a rampedsurface to be initially inserted into the tube.
 16. A method ofassembling a spigot tube coupler and a tube, the method comprising:applying a bonding agent to an outer surface of a spigot of a spigottube coupler, the spigot comprising a plurality of grooves disposedaround the outer surface, the outer surface having a continuous diameterbetween a stop surface of the spigot tube coupler and a collar disposedat an insertion end of the spigot; aligning the insertion end of thespigot with an end of the tube; slidably inserting the spigot into thetube until the end of the tube contacts the stop surface of the spigottube coupler; and forming a plurality of bonding areas between thespigot and the tube, each bonding area defined by an outer surface ofthe bonding agent within one of the grooves, wherein the collarcomprises a retention wall defining an end to each of the plurality ofgrooves that extends to the collar, the retention wall containing thebonding agent within the one or more grooves during the steps ofapplying the bonding agent and inserting the spigot into the tube. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising: applying the bonding agentto the outer surface of the spigot between the collar and the stopsurface of the spigot tube coupler, the collar comprising an outerdiameter greater than the outer surface of the spigot; and generating afriction fit between the collar and an inner surface of the tube.